21.12.22 – Shine a light Campaign, Lord Mayors Charity Football Tournament, Homes for Ukraine
Written by Hitmix Local News on 21 December 2022
People in Staffordshire are being reminded that they’re not alone during their darkest hours this Christmas and New Year as part of a new campaign.
Staffordshire County Council has partnered with Staffordshire Samaritans to illuminate windows and buildings green across the county TODAY which is the longest night of the year.
The campaign aims to remind residents and anyone in need that the Samaritans will be there for them, with its support line open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
People are encouraged to join tonight by shining a green light in their window.
www.staffordshire.gov.uk/longestnight.
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Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor, Councillor Faisal Hussain has announced a one-off charity football tournament in aid of his chosen charities, Brighter Futures and The Hubb Foundation.
The World Cup style football tournament will take place on 17 February 2023 at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, to raise funds for his charities.
The tournament is open to all and residents, local businesses, charities and sports clubs are all being encouraged to put forward teams of eight to enter the knockout tournament, and individuals must be aged 18 or above to register.
Teams can take part by calling the Lord Mayor’s office on 01782 236663 or emailing lord.mayor@stoke.gov.uk.
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Staffordshire sponsors involved in the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme will received increased ‘thank you’ payments for guests who have been in the UK for over a year. The government has announced that payments for the second year of sponsorship will now be £500 per month, rising from £350 per month initially. This will also apply to refugees who have been rematched with a new sponsor after a year of being in the UK. As the war in Ukraine continues, payments will also be extended from 12 months to 2 years so guests can stay in sponsorship arrangements for longer.
Already, nearly 800 Ukrainians have made Staffordshire their home since the invasion of their homeland in February 2022. More than 600 of these have chosen to remain with sponsors in Staffordshire.
And this month, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet has given the go-ahead for a dedicated resettlement team to be set up, that will work on the Homes for Ukraine scheme and broader resettlement issues.
